If you are looking for a new interim senior marketing role and would like to know what skills you need, and what salaries are on offer, you will find a complete guide below.
If you’re an employer looking to recruit for this role, please see our interim recruitment page or click the button below to speak to us directly.
What is an Interim CMO?
An interim Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) is an experienced marketing executive brought into a company on a temporary basis to lead its marketing efforts during times of transition or urgency. This could be due to reasons such as the sudden departure of the previous employee, restructuring initiatives, or the need for immediate strategic direction.
For this role, candidates should possess a wealth of marketing expertise and are tasked with quickly evaluating the company’s marketing strategies, implementing necessary adjustments, and guiding the marketing team until a permanent replacement is found or the transition phase concludes. They may be engaged through consulting firms or directly contracted by the company, with the primary objective of sustaining or enhancing the company’s marketing performance throughout the interim period.
When to hire for this role
A business may require a leader within this role to ensure continuity and strategic direction in the marketing department during transitions or uncertainties. When the previous employee in this position departs suddenly, an interim can step in immediately, providing stability and leadership while a permanent replacement is sought. Additionally, their strategic expertise is vital during major organisational changes, including mergers, acquisitions or restructurings, helping align marketing strategies with overarching company goals.
This person within this role will offer timely insights for adapting marketing strategies to evolving market conditions, ensuring sustained effectiveness during changing conditions – a new competitor, a new product launch, major economic conditions etc.
What is the difference between Interim and Fractional CMO?
An interim is brought in temporarily to address immediate needs, such as filling a vacant position or guiding the marketing department through a period of transition. Typically, their engagement lasts until a permanent hire or the transition phase concludes. Interims focus on stabilising and improving the marketing function during their tenure, often restructuring strategies and providing leadership to the marketing team.
In contrast, a Fractional employee works part-time with multiple clients simultaneously, offering ongoing strategic marketing guidance. Their engagements are longer-term, spanning months to years, and they provide sustained support in areas like marketing planning, brand development, and customer acquisition. Fractional roles cater to companies that may not require a full-time person but still seek strategic marketing expertise to drive their business forward.
Discover more about a Fractional CMO.
Main responsibilities
Strategic digital marketing assessment: conducting an in-depth evaluation of current digital marketing strategies, analysing aspects such as SEO, PPC, and social media engagement. This assessment allows for targeted adjustments to maximise online visibility and audience engagement.
Tactical marketing adjustments: swift adjustments are made to marketing tactics based on real-time data insights and market trends. This agile approach ensures that marketing efforts remain effective and responsive to the dynamic nature of the tech industry.
Integration of technologies: managing the integration of innovative marketing technologies, such as AI-driven analytics and automation tools, to enhance campaign performance and optimise resource utilisation. This initiative keeps the company at the forefront of technological advancements in marketing.
Product-marketing alignment: Close collaboration with product development teams ensures that marketing strategies align with product features, benefits, and target market segments. This alignment fosters a seamless customer journey and enhances overall brand perception.
Campaign management: Agile methodologies are employed to manage marketing campaigns, enabling quick iterations and adjustments based on performance metrics and customer feedback. This approach ensures campaign effectiveness and ROI in fast paced industries.
Strategic partnerships: forming strategic partnerships with influencers, industry associations, and complementary businesses to amplify brand reach and credibility. These partnerships facilitate access to new audiences and drive mutually beneficial collaborations.
Talent development and succession planning: leading talent development and succession planning, ensuring that skills are transferred and business knowledge is retained for long-term sustainability.
Day rate / salary expectations
The day rate for this level of interim role would be in the region of £1000-£1500.
Job description
See our recent Interim Chief Marketing Officer job description.
Skills required
Soft skills
- Leadership: Inspiring and guiding teams towards common goals.
- Communication: Articulating complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences.
- Adaptability: Flexibility in responding to changing market conditions.
- Collaboration: Working effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners.
- Strategic Thinking: Formulating long-term marketing plans aligned with business objectives.
- Creativity: Generating innovative marketing strategies and campaigns.
- Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing emotions in self and others.
- Problem-solving: Identifying challenges and devising effective solutions.
- Negotiation: Negotiating contracts and agreements beneficial to the business.
- Resilience: Maintaining composure and determination in the face of setbacks.
Technical skills
- Data Analytics: Analysing marketing data to derive insights and inform decision-making.
- Digital Marketing: Implementing strategies across various digital channels like SEO, SEM, and social media.
- Marketing Automation: Using automation tools to streamline marketing processes.
- Brand Management: Managing brand identity, positioning, and messaging.
- Market Research: Conducting research to understand consumer behaviour and market trends.
- Budget Management: Developing and managing marketing budgets effectively.
- Project Management: Overseeing the execution of marketing initiatives within set timelines and budgets.
- Strategic Planning: Developing and executing comprehensive marketing strategies.
- Content Strategy: Creating engaging content across different platforms to drive brand awareness.
- CRM Management: Using customer relationship management systems to enhance customer interactions and retention.
Employers: what to expect for your business?
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Interim Marketing job interview questions
Read our guide to 28 interim marketing interview questions to ask candidates at interview.
What is the difference: Interim Chief Marketing Officer versus Interim Marketing Director
The CMO level interim role is tasked with setting overarching marketing strategies, aligning them with company objectives, and directing the entire marketing department. Their responsibilities extend beyond daily operations to include budget allocation, long-term planning, and decision-making that impacts the company’s market positioning. During periods of transition or crisis, such as sudden employee departures or significant organisational shifts, this level of role would provide crucial strategic leadership, ensuring stability and continuity in marketing initiatives while guiding the team through challenges.
Conversely, the Interim Marketing Director operates within a more focused realm, often reporting to the CMO or another senior executive. While they still hold significant responsibilities within the marketing department, their role is primarily centred on day-to-day operations, campaign management, and team supervision. At Director level they would play a vital role in executing tactical plans, managing specific projects or campaigns, and ensuring operational efficiency within their designated areas. They may step in to bridge leadership gaps or provide specialised expertise during transitional phases, contributing to the overall functioning of the marketing department.
Other interim marketing roles we recruit for
FAQs
- What is an interim CMO role?
- An interim Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) role is a temporary position responsible for guiding a company's marketing strategies during periods of transition. It's typically filled during organisational changes, leadership turnover, or to address specific marketing challenges. Interim CMOs leverage their expertise to provide immediate leadership, implement strategies, and stabilise marketing operations while the company seeks a permanent CMO or navigates transitions. They play a vital role in maintaining momentum and ensuring marketing continuity during times of change.
- Is Chief Marketing Officer a high position?
- Yes, a Chief Marketing Officer is the highest position within marketing, often sitting on the leadership team / board and reporting directly into the CEO of the business.
- What is the difference between fractional and interim CMO?
- The difference between fractional and interim CMO roles lies in their duration and level of involvement. A fractional CMO typically works part-time, providing strategic guidance and oversight on an ongoing basis, often serving multiple clients simultaneously. In contrast, an interim CMO is a temporary, full-time position usually filled during transitional periods such as leadership changes or restructuring. Interim CMOs offer immediate leadership, implement strategies, and stabilise marketing operations while the organisation seeks a permanent solution or navigates through changes. Fractional CMOs provide ongoing support and strategic direction but with a less intensive commitment compared to interim roles.
- What does a chief marketing officer do?
- A Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) is a senior executive overseeing all aspects of marketing for a business. They shape the brand's identity, drive customer acquisition, and boost revenue growth. CMOs develop marketing plans, target audiences, and utilise various channels to promote products or services efficiently. They analyse market trends and collaborate with other departments to ensure alignment and maximise marketing impact. Ultimately, CMOs play a crucial role in driving marketing efforts to achieve business goals and stay competitive.
- What is the salary of an interim Chief Marketing Officer?
- An interim Chief Marketing Officer could reach a day rate of £1000 to £1500 in 2024.
